Thread: Pest inspection

It's been a while since this discussion so I thought I'd update.

I'm about to buy a kilo of borax with the intent of mixing up a large amount in a bin and dipping all the smaller bits, then spraying the larger bits of timber until every piece is done.

I've discovered lyctus, jewel beetles, goat moth larvae and even termites in my wood stocks in the past. Anything I've discovered I've eliminated.

Obviously I'm mostly concerned about borers because they can be hard to detect. The termites don't worry me because they no longer have a nest so they'll likely die off soon (found about a dozen in a small piece all on their own a day after bringing some pieces in). I've also spot treated every piece that came in with that one and since cutting up the pieces have found nothing but a few dead termites. Given that the timber was new and my place has recently been barriered, they aren't local and aren't a problem. However I'd like to make my timber unappealing to anything else.

Is dipping in a hot water borax mix overkill? I'm hoping to eliminate anything I can't see but mostly to prevent further issues. By dipping, the fluid should fill any holes and wipe out anything hiding within.

Does anyone else do it this way or am I just going overboard? Should I just spray instead?

Dipping is the best IMHO, just most of my logs are too big.

Just remember with using Borax, it does tend to recrystalize in time, so will stuff up your spray equipment if left (I found out the hard way, but it can be cleaned with a lot of effort). So make sure you empty the tank out and wash all the components clean after use. Pure Boron is far more expensive, but does dissolve completely and stays that way avoiding the problem.

Thanks mate. Sounds like I'm on the right track. My plan is to spend an entire day doing it so if the mixture can stay together that long I'll be fine.

Surface spray insecticide(home brand) is worthwhile as well...remember,alot of 'borers' are very sensitive to chemicals,they hate them,particularly the ambrosia beetle,which is the one that leaves fairly large holes or tunnels behind..it is a member of the weevil family,and loves Qld Maple/Blackwood/Quandong etc.It feeds off the fungai the grows on the walls of the tunnels,that it creates.Once the moisture content within the timber drops below 40%,the fungai cannot survive,hence depriving the beetle of its food source,so it moves on...MM

Thanks Chris. Pest controller was around today to do our yearly inspection. I showed him some samples of the bugs I've found in my timber lately and he was scratching his head. I know most of it isn't dangerous but I'll be borax dipping the lot very soon. More a preventative.

Hi All,

I thought that this would be an appropriate thread to post this in.

I recently scored some fresh camphor laurel and have noticed some fine dust on it. Whilst it could be from the sawing when I cut it up, I would just like to be on the safe side and will coat it with boron/borax when I get around to it. Currently, most of it is sealed with enamel paint leaving just a few un-coated bark surfaces to let them dry out over a few years.

However, for clarity I was under the impression that camphor laurel repelled insects and infestation, if any, should be minimal. Can anyone advise on this?

Further, if I put the camphor laurel with the rest of my woodpile, will it help repel and protect the rest of the wood from borers etc?

Originally Posted by cava

Hi All,

I thought that this would be an appropriate thread to post this in.

I recently scored some fresh camphor laurel and have noticed some fine dust on it. Whilst it could be from the sawing when I cut it up, I would just like to be on the safe side and will coat it with boron/borax when I get around to it. Currently, most of it is sealed with enamel paint leaving just a few un-coated bark surfaces to let them dry out over a few years.

However, for clarity I was under the impression that camphor laurel repelled insects and infestation, if any, should be minimal. Can anyone advise on this?

Further, if I put the camphor laurel with the rest of my woodpile, will it help repel and protect the rest of the wood from borers etc?

George,borers love Camphor,and NO,it wont protect your woodstack..give it a hit with some generic surface spray too..MM

Originally Posted by MAPLEMAN

George,borers love Camphor,and NO,it wont protect your woodstack..give it a hit with some generic surface spray too..MM

Thanks Chris.